External distractor/fixator for the management of fractures and dislocations of interphalangeal joints

Abstract

An external fixation apparatus for reduction and distraction of a joint injury such as fracture or dislocation of the proximal and distal bones of a joint from a location external to the soft tissue of a patient. The device including a proximal fixator, a distal fixator, a proximal wire inserted through the proximal fixator and into a proximal bone, a distal wire inserted through the distal fixator and into a distal bone, and an adjustable distraction mechanism connecting said proximal and distal fixators.

I claim: 
     
       1. An external fixation apparatus for the dynamic distraction of a bone joint injury from a location external to the soft tissue of a patient, said joint having a proximal bone and a distal bone, comprising: opposing proximal fixators and opposing distal fixators;   a proximal wire for insertion through the proximal bone, the proximal wire being mounted to the proximal fixators in a manner allowing relative movement between the proximal wire and the proximal fixators for dynamic fixation of said joint;   a distal wire for insertion through the distal bone, the distal wire being mounted to the distal fixators; and   at least one adjustable distraction rod connecting said proximal and distal fixators.   
     
     
       2. The external fixation apparatus of claim 1, wherein said wires are Kirschner type smooth wires. 
     
     
       3. The external fixation apparatus of claim 1, further comprising guide rods to connect said opposing fixators. 
     
     
       4. The external fixation apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a locking mechanism capable of fixing said guide rods in place. 
     
     
       5. The external fixation apparatus of claim 1, wherein said adjustable distraction rods are threaded. 
     
     
       6. An external fixation apparatus for dynamic distraction of a joint injury from a location external to the soft tissue of a patient, said joint having a proximal bone and a distal bone, comprising: a proximal and a distal fixator;   at least one proximal wire insertable into a proximal bone and mounted to said proximal fixator in a manner allowing relative movement between the proximal wire and the proximal fixator for dynamic fixation of said joint;   at least one distal wire insertable into the distal bone and mounted to said distal fixator; and   an adjustable distraction mechanism connecting said proximal and distal fixators.   
     
     
       7. The external fixation apparatus of claim 6, wherein said at least one wire is a Kirschner type threaded wire. 
     
     
       8. The external fixation apparatus of claim 1 further comprising proximal wire end caps rotatable mounting the proximal wire in the proximal fixators. 
     
     
       9. The external fixation apparatus of claim 8 further comprising distal wire end caps. 
     
     
       10. The external fixation apparatus of claim 1 wherein said adjustable distraction rod is lockable. 
     
     
       11. The external fixation apparatus of claim 1 wherein said proximal and distal fixators are radiolucent. 
     
     
       12. The external fixation apparatus of claim 1 wherein the proximal wire comprises a single proximal wire. 
     
     
       13. The external fixation apparatus of claim 6 wherein said proximal and distal fixators are radiolucent. 
     
     
       14. Apparatus for the treatment of bone joint injuries, the joint having a proximal bone and a distal bone, the apparatus comprising: (a) a frame for positioning external to the soft tissue of a patient, the frame including a pair of proximal fixators for positioning on opposite sides of the proximal bone, a pair of distal fixators for positioning on opposite sides of the distal bone, and at least one adjustment rod for connecting the proximal and distal fixators for achieving selective reduction and distraction of the joint;   (b) a proximal wire for inserting through the proximal bone and mounting in the proximal fixators; and   (c) at least one distal wire for inserting through the distal bone and mounting in the distal fixators; wherein the proximal wire is adapted for mounting in the proximal fixators in a manner allowing relative motion between the proximal wire and the proximal fixators thereby allowing the proximal and distal bones to move with respect to one another at said joint while the apparatus maintains the joint stabilized and distracted.     
     
     
       15. Apparatus for the treatment of bone joint injuries, the joint having a proximal bone and a distal bone, the apparatus comprising: (a) a frame for positioning external to the soft tissue of a patient, the frame including a pair of proximal fixators for positioning on opposite sides of the proximal bone, a pair of distal fixators for positioning on opposite sides of the distal bone, and at least one adjustment rod for connecting the proximal and distal fixators for achieving selective reduction and distraction of the joint;   (b) a single proximal wire for inserting through the proximal bone and mounting in the proximal fixators; and   (c) at least one distal wire for inserting through the distal bone and mounting in the distal fixators; wherein the proximal wire is adapted for mounting in the proximal fixators in a manner allowing relative motion between the proximal wire and the proximal fixators thereby allowing the proximal and distal bones to move with respect to one another at said joint while the apparatus maintains the joint stabilized and distracted.     
     
     
       16. Apparatus for the treatment of bone joint injuries, the joint having a proximal bone and a distal bone, the apparatus comprising: (a) a frame for positioning external to the soft tissue of a patient, the frame including a proximal fixator, a distal fixator, and an adjustment rod for connecting the proximal and distal fixators for achieving selective reduction and distraction of the joint;   (b) a proximal wire for inserting through the proximal bone; and   (c) at least one distal wire for inserting through the distal bone and mounting in the distal fixators; wherein the proximal wire is adapted for mounting in the proximal fixator in a manner allowing relative motion between the proximal wire and the proximal fixator thereby allowing the proximal and distal bones to move with respect to one another at said joint while the apparatus maintains the joint stabilized and distracted.     
     
     
       17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the apparatus is adapted to be used in a dynamic mode in which the proximal and distal bones are able to move with respect to one another at said joint while the apparatus maintains the joint stabilized and distracted, and   further wherein the apparatus is adapted to be used in a static mode in which the proximal and distal bones are not able to move with respect to one another at said joint while the apparatus maintains the joint stabilized and distracted,   the proximal wire being mounted for relative movement with respect to the proximal fixator when the apparatus is in the dynamic mode.   
     
     
       18. Apparatus for the dynamic fixation of a joint injury from a location external to the soft tissue of a patient, the apparatus allowing selective reduction and distraction of the joint injury, the apparatus comprising: a pair of proximal fixators;   a pair of distal fixators;   a proximal wire insertable through a proximal bone of said joint, the proximal wire being mounted to the proximal fixators in a manner allowing relative movement between the proximal wire and the proximal fixators thereby allowing the proximal fixators to rotate relative to the proximal bone;   at least one distal wire insertable through a distal bone of said joint, the distal wire being mounted to said distal fixators; and   an adjustable distraction mechanism connecting said proximal and distal fixators.   
     
     
       19. An apparatus for the dynamic fixation of a joint injury from a location external to the soft tissue of a patient, the apparatus allowing selective reduction and distraction of the joint injury, the apparatus comprising: a proximal fixator;   a distal fixator;   a proximal wire insertable through a proximal bone of said joint, the proximal wire being mounted to the proximal fixator in a manner allowing relative movement between the proximal wire and the proximal fixator thereby allowing the proximal fixator to rotate relative to the proximal bone;   at least one distal wire insertable through a distal bone of said joint, the distal wire being mounted to said distal fixator; and   an adjustable distraction mechanism connecting said proximal and distal fixators.